Every team in Minnesota followed suit after the Twins. The Lakers were the Minneapolis Lakers.
Yes, I should have used the term 'cheer for' or 'support' instead of 'vote for' as I guess it was a lame word to use. My bad. Hey, don't apologize for the length of your post as it makes for an interesting read.
In regard to the size of Montreal compared to Winnipeg you are indeed correct in pointing out how much larger Montreal is. However, in relation to the population of each city to that of the rest of the province, Winnipeg (61%) represents a higher percentage compared to Montreal (49%). The situation with Saskatchewan is much different in that you have 2 cities (Regina and Saskatoon) which are relatively equal in population and neither one has a higher percentage living there than in the rest of the province. If the team were to be called Regina Roughriders it may cause some jealousy in Saskatoon. However, the capital region of Winnipeg has a population of 811,874 while Manitoba has an overall population of 1,328,346 (2017 Q1).
I know you are making the point based on the CFL but suggesting the Bombers may draw more fans simply by having the name Manitoba instead of Winnipeg doesn't convince me that it would occur. The Roughriders draw more fans to their games than the Argos do in Canada's largest city. It's clear the Riders have the best fan base in the league. The Bombers draw relatively well in comparison to other CFL teams but they are not the only game in town. Not only do they have to deal with a fan base that can be fickle when they're not winning but also with our city being in such close proximity to the lakes and cottage country with a short summer. There's also the competition for dollars with the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and Winnipeg Goldeyes. Then there's also the Arts which includes the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. There are so many options available that it will always be a challenge for the Bombers. However, in spite of all that, the Bombers are relatively successful and have good support. I just don't think someone's going to come down to Winnipeg from Thompson or Flin Flon to watch the Bombers simply because they're called Manitoba. The fans will come because they like football or the team is winning.
Let us remember that the Blue Jays have fans across the country even though they are based in Toronto. They don't have to be called the Ontario Blue Jays for the rest of the province to support them or the Canada Blue Jays for the rest of the country to cheer for them. Wherever possible it makes sense to use the name of the city where a team is based as it provides more of a focal point for people in general in visualizing where the team plays its home games and where they're from when on the road. In some situations where there are 2 cities of relatively equal size in a particular province or state it may be the right choice to use the province or state name for the team but otherwise I always prefer the name of the city for the team.
). changing the name to Manitoba probably isn't the answer but I think they need to do more to include the rest of the province which will in turn generated more revenue and support for the team as they are operating a big budget stadium which they cannot fill and are in a small market.
You betcha. Rider Pride is incredible.
I respect your points and this is a great discussion.
I don't think MLB / blue jays could be brought in to the discussion. they have a local population of 7 mill + to draw from for game attendance. plus they are the only team in Canada which is why I was using a small national game as CFL as an example.
The reasons which you assert for attendance issues are the reasons I am hypothetically saying the Winnipeg BB could reach outside the city to connect with smaller communities and draw in more fans. I believe the last time there was an outreach by the bombers it was via buck pierce and was in 2011 when he attended a wheatkings game. I grew up in The Pas and was not exposed to the bombers until I moved to Winnipeg for University. We came to Winnipeg a ton when I was growing up but it was always for shopping or to see a Wpg Jets game... kind of dating myself but ( ya I was there for a few games of Teemu's crazy year
I guess I included the Blue Jays as an example to show that even if you don't live near the team you support, you can still adopt them as your team. I do see where you're coming from and I do agree the Bombers should be visible throughout the province. I believe with the changes in management a couple of years back you will see more done in that regard. I'm also quite sure that with Wade Miller in charge of things the product on the field will contine to get better and once the traffic issues around IGF improve as well, attendance will increase. Although we have a difference of opinion regarding team names based on city vs province/state, I'm glad you support the Jets and Bombers from your hometown of Killarney.
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Same deal with the "New Jersey" Devils.
Half the people in the state are Philly teams' fans, and half are New York area teams' fans. The team/arena is really close to New York and is in the upper North East of the state. When people who don't live in the Northeast and aren't familiar with the whole NY/NJ/Philly dynamic try to discuss the Devils as if they're "New Jersey's" team and thus anyone's team who lives in the state, it couldn't be more inaccurate.
If you're from the Southern part of NJ like myself, chances are you are a Flyers fan and wish great hockey harm on the Devils!!
